39 Life Hack Products That Seem Gimmicky, But *GASP* They Actually Work
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Pickle lovers, I’ve found a genius jar that’s a really big *dill.*
Posted 12 hours ago
by Daniel Boan BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff
I'm a Shopping Editor who uses my passion for hitting "add to cart" (and my 8+ years in media) to curate the best products on the web — I'm particularly passionate about finding the best beauty products, which probably stems from my days of working at Lush Cosmetics, where I learned about effective skincare ingredients while getting covered in bath bomb dust every day.
Sometimes I miss the gool ol' days of late-night infommercials. All those commercials of people struggling to do the most menial tasks before discovering a life-changing product were like comfort food for the eyes. However, we all know most of those gimmicky products barely worked and just gathered dust in your closet. Luckily, times have changed, and now they make fun, gimmicky products that *ACTUALLY* work! Allow me to introduce you to a penguin designed to hold your ice cream pint, a cat whose sole job is to hold your glasses, a notepad you can literally use in the shower, and other products that may seem gimmicky but are genuinely amazing.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
P.S. This only works if you have full access to the window (rather than those seats where you get the weird halves of two windows between the rows in front and back of you.
Promising review: "A friend recommended this to me as a vital travel companion now that I've returned to frequent flying. I initially thought of it as a novelty, but now that I've used it, it's a necessity. It keeps the workspace clear for my laptop, but it also organizes all the little pieces that can become so annoying to keep up with — glasses, earphones, etc. It got my seatmate's immediate attention, as well as a few other folks nearby. I suspect they'll have one soon. Watch for one soon in a window near you!" —Timothy G. Wolfe
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
While this is waterproof for easy cleaning, the brand does not recommend soaking the entire unit or placing it in the dishwasher (and also recommends using the included silicone cover for the charging port when washing).
Check out a TikTok of the heated ice cream scoop in action.
Promising review: "I bought this heated ice cream scoop on a whim, and wow, it actually works amazingly! The warming feature heats up fast and glides through even rock-hard ice cream with zero effort. No more bending spoons or waiting for the carton to soften. The LED display is a nice touch because I can see when it’s ready, and being rechargeable makes it super convenient, no batteries needed. It’s especially great for kids and seniors since it takes almost no strength to use." —Dikshya
Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in 13 colors).
Promising review: "I have a pillow-top and pillow-bottom queen-sized bed that is a little too small for king sheets and with queen sheets I have battled to keep the sheets from popping off. I have tried everything! I was about to try to customize some king sheets because it was so frustrating. Then I saw this product advertised on Facebook in one of those posts about the amazing products that people love. So I figured it was worth a try. It works. I was shocked. My sheets have not popped off once. I ordered this in February and it is May now — and they have not popped off once! They used to pop off EVERY...SINGLE...NIGHT. To say this is life changing is not an exaggeration. Such a relief to be able to sleep through the night without ending up in rumpled sheets." —TinkerbellAPixie
Get a set of four from Amazon for $13.99 (available in three colors and two sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The brand recommends using low heat, delicate heat, or no heat.
Promising review: "I really love these Clorox Refreshables because they make my clothes smell clean and fresh in just 15 minutes without having to rewash them. They’re super easy to use — just toss one in the dryer, and you’re done. The Spring Fresh scent is light, not overpowering, and leaves my clothes feeling refreshed. This is perfect for busy days or when something smells a little off but doesn’t need a full wash. I will definitely keep these as a must-have in my laundry routine." —Carla D.
Get a 30-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I never have any time in the mornings to do my makeup but I enjoy having winged eyeliner. I also have the shakiest hands known to man and don't have very good eyesight so putting eyeliner on used to be such a pain. But now it's so incredibly simple. This product literally changed my whole morning routine. Instead of getting frustrated and having to start my makeup over again and again, I just stamp and go. I can't believe I didn't get this product sooner when it's literally one of the best purchases I've ever made. Highly highly recommend to anyone who wants beautiful eyeliner quickly and easily. " —K
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in two sizes).
See Work Design / Etsy
This is designed to fit most 16-ounce ice cream pints.
Promising review: "How convenient, keeps the ice cream cold and my hands from getting sticky. And it’s cute too!" —S
See Work Design is a small Etsy shop specializing in 3D-printed goods.
Get from See Work Design on Etsy for $18.81+ (originally $20.90; available in nine colors).
Amazon
Promising review: "I love pickles and olives but hate the mess and pain of pickle/olive brine. I've been known to just drain it out of a jar immediately, even if that means having to throw away the pickles or olives sooner. I randomly discovered these containers from some online article, and knew right away I would be getting one. I now have two, but I plan on buying more. They're just great. The only thing is, you need to be 100% sure you've got the lids on completely, or you will have a disaster on your hands. Check and double-check each time you secure them. The tongs are useful just to have around for anything, too." —Nick
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
Promising reviews: "I’m not even joking, this changed my life. As a songwriter, I just wish I bought this YEARS ago. All of it is such great quality too — suction cup always sticks, pencil almost never needs sharpening (I’m halfway through my second notepad with my current pencil), and the paper is nice and thick." —B.
"I told my husband out of the blue a few months ago that I would love to have a waterproof notepad to record all of my shower thoughts. Lo and behold, he handed me this dandy notepad on my birthday, and I LOVE it! It is great quality, providing a satisfying writing experience and never smudging. I was worried it would feel weird to write with, but that has not been the case! I write lists, and my hubby and I leave silly notes for one another. Definitely a wonderful gift!" —Noah B.
Get it from Amazon for$11.95.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This does what it says. I've gone to the dryer so many times to find my sheets and blankets in a balled-up type blob. I have to unwrap everything and start the dryer again since it is all damp still...and usually had to repeat this another time to finally have the items dried. Wasting so much electricity for a number of drying cycles. The first time I used this product, it alleviated this issue. Everything was dry and not balled up. Fantastic product! I wish I would have found it sooner in my life. I think this will be stocking stuffers for my siblings this year." —Dan Smith
Wad-Free is a small biz that was launched during the pandemic. Cyndi, the founder, learned CAD (computer-aided design) to create the pads.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.99 (also available as a set of four).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the foaming pink drain cleaner in action.
Promising review: "Wow! I don't think I've ever been more excited to use a cleaning product before. Who knew you could get so much satisfaction from a drain cleaner? I could probably make an ASMR video and post it, as it is that satisfying! Even though I had to angle this over my sink drain, to avoid the low faucet, it worked perfectly. The foam went down the drain and up through the overflow, bringing lots of black, yucky gunk with it. I have used lots of drain cleaners before, but not one that actually came up through the overflow. I'd never even considered what stuff was in there. It did a great job of cleaning everything out, and it left the sink smelling fresh and clean as well." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (also available in a two-pack).
Promising review: "Between myself (medium long hair) and my overly fluffy cat, a lot of hair and fluff was continually getting caught up on the roller brush of my vacuum. I dreaded vacuuming because it took so long to pull and snip the hairs wrapped up on the roller brush out with scissors. Not anymore! This silly, little, inexpensive thing works great! Super quick to remove all the hair/fur — in virtually a minute, then back to vacuuming with my lovely Miele vacuum." —MKS
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
If you’re concerned about your hiccups, talk to your doctor. Read more about hiccup causes and treatment at Cleveland Clinic. Read the brand's explanation of the science behind the straw here.
Promising review: "I was admittedly skeptical at first but I gotta say, I was SO wrong because this thing is SO right. Wow. I mean, it's instant relief. I get the hiccups sometimes, and they'll last for a super long time, and they kind of hurt sometimes, too. This straw, after one sip, makes them disappear in what feels a miraculous way! If I could give 100 stars, I wouldn't hesitate." —MW
Get it from Amazon for $20.95(availble in five colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "When you think you don’t need it. But TikTok thinks you do. I definitely am glad that this product was what I need. Works on laptop, tablets, and phones! Love it! Highly recommend this product!" —Laura Schlutt
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
Check out a TikTok of the sandwich cutterin action.
Promising review: "I’ve tried three other gadgets that advertised that they make Uncrustable sandwiches, and this is the only one that’s made a perfect one. My kid’s sandwiches have remained completely sealed and mess-free while eating. I bought this one to prepare peanut butter and jelly for a four-day trip across the country. Not a single time did I need to baby wipe my toddlers cause they were a sticky mess from jelly. I have made Uncrustables fresh and frozen to defrost later, and it’s all stayed sealed. I absolutely recommend.' —Elizabeth Monroe
Get it from Amazon for $7.98 (available in seven colors).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
The duster comes with five microfiber sleeves so you can take care of all your windows at once before giving the sleeves a good wash.
Promising review: "A super time saver. It legitimately used to take us hours to clean all the blinds. We can now do all the faux-wood Venetian blinds in the house in about one hour. It's really nice that it comes with some spare cloths for it, and it's cheap enough to buy a whole additional set so we can make more than one kid do this chore at the same time." —R.D.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in two colors).
Uncommon Goods
Promising review: "This is perfect to hold my glasses so I don't have to spend time looking for them. It's super cute and heavier than expected. Really happy with the purchase." —Savannah
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $32.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I used to HATE cooking with oil because I never knew what to do with it when I was finished. Not anymore! This stuff works amazingly well, is easy to use, and allows me to trash oil without a big mess! It just takes a little scoop and a short amount of time for it to set into a gel, and then it all scoops out of the pan so easily! I’m just sad I didn’t find this product sooner!" —TheBjamin
FryAway is a woman-owned and Latine-owned small business started by Laura Lady, who loves both cooking and being kind to the planet. They donate 1% of revenue to nonprofits focused on water conservation.
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three styles).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
The cleaning formula is released when you stomp, so there's no added spray involved! Everything you need is on the pad already.
Promising review: "I never ever write reviews for anything, but I just had to write one for these. We have two dogs and one of them will get sick or have an accident in the house a few times a month. I've used all kinds of carpet cleaner as well as the SpotBot, but they never seemed to really get the stains out. I bought these on a whim because I was desperate to find something that might work and guess what? THEY WORKED! No joke, every stain I have put these on has come out of the carpet. I have told everyone I know about these and have heard great things from them as well. If you are on the fence, just give them a try!" —Angela Mimm
Get 20 pads from Amazon for $27.49.
Amazon
Promising review: "I have left the house on numerous occasions and needed a hair tie and could never find one. I could dig through my purse, diaper bags, and car, and there was never a hair tie lying around. I have had to refill this hair-tie holder on about five occasions because of how many times I've taken hair ties off for myself and the friends who need one. Great invention." —Samantha
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "Must have if you have toddlers. I wish I had known of this sooner. Has made it so much easier to cut grapes for my toddler. Now, I can do it one-handed when my LO won’t let me set him down to cut the fruit. I have also used it to cut blueberries and blackberries." —Crystal Albertin
"If your toddler loves grapes, this is a MUST-HAVE! So much easier than cutting into quarters with a knife." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
Amazon
Check out the sand removal bag on TikTok!
Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1x–2x a week. I even use it on my dogs' paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of. I will definitely be buying the refill and another bag to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti
Shakalo is a small biz based in San Diego.
Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (also available in a three-pack).
Start by applying the sticker to your skin, then apply sunscreen on your skin and over the dot, wait 30 seconds for it to absorb and then face direct sunlight for one minute to make the spot turn clear. Once it turns from clear to purple, you'll know it's time for another layer of sunscreen!
Promising review: "After yet another bad sunburn, even though I'm trying VERY HARD to keep sunscreen on, I bought these. First use was at Disneyland on a 90-degree zero clouds day. This helped so much! I kept an eye (as did my friends) on the dot so we all knew when to reapply sunscreen, and not one of us got burned. I also used these on a weeklong hiking adventure in Utah where it was also in the 90s with an extreme UV index. None of us got burned, so all in all, this is one of the best inventions!" —Catherine Shock
Get a 16-pack from Amazon for $16.48 (also available in two other pack sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I haven't used it for onions, but lots of other veggies. My knife skills never made it past amateur status. I don't have a mandolin (probably a good thing), and yet, I love to cook. This holder makes uniform slices for home-fried potatoes as well as my soup veggies. I've even used it for hard-boiled eggs for salads. All of a sudden, I've upped my game. It's easy to use, and easy to wash. Why didn't I know about this years ago? Love it!" —Karen
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
The Magnetack/Etsy
Promising review: "Absolutely perfect. It holds a whole stick of butter, and the butter stays in place, unlike with some of the other products on the market that are supposed to serve the same purpose." —Michelle
The Magnetack is a small Etsy seller based in Miami.
Get it from The Magnetack on Etsy for $14.95.
Promising review: "I love this product. My bathroom drawer looks so organized now that my bobby pins aren’t all over the place. I loved that it came with bobby pins, which I had no idea would be included! It's nice to also have some new bobby pins!" —Monica
Blue Feather Productsis a small business specializing in unique storage products.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in two colors).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
It requires two AA batteries (not included). The universal cap is designed to work with most bottlenecks. Check out a TikTok of the drink dispenser in action.
Promising review: "Super happy with this purchase. Our two little ones (5- and 3-year-olds) can now easily fill their own drinks. We also purchased a dual cereal dispenser from Amazon, so now the kids can get their own breakfast cereal with milk!" —April M. Ramos
Get it from Amazon for $14.99(available in four colors and in multipacks).
Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the Prepara Salad Pod in action.
Promising review: "An awesome invention. I take salads daily to work, and it’s so convenient. Also the dressing at the top makes mixing salad so easy." —Adrienne Williams
Get it from Amazon for $22.97+ (available in two sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought these to put into my bag/pocket to carry around, just in case. Sometimes public restrooms do not have soap, and that is extremely inconvenient. These come in super handy! One sheet is definitely enough for me, and it’s so cool to watch it turn from a dry sheet of paper into sudsy soap with water added. I 100% recommend." —woolymammoth
Fomin is a small business specializing in cleaning products.
Get them from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in three scents and various pack sizes).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "The perfect companion for traveling with a toddler who loves to snack and prefers being independent. I can fit about 12 average-size grapes in it, about 5–6 regular-sized cookies, about 8–10 mini cookies, a big handful or small cereal such as Cheerios, and about 10–12 standard Ritz crackers. These estimations are all things that I regularly place in there for him to snack on. Nothing spills out, and whatever does come out is whatever he grabs with his hands to get, which is amazing. The only thing I would suggest is placing foil or plastic wrap around the mouth of the cup to prevent any of the snacks from getting stale from being exposed. The lid doesn’t fully cover the snack from air exposure. It simply protects the snack from spilling over and promotes child independence." —Antoinette
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.95 (available in two color combos).
Just tear and put pieces of chicken into the shredder, place the clear lid firmly on top, and twist left to right to shred.
Promising review: "Every time I use this tool to shred my chicken, I say, 'I’ve got to tell people about this!' I’m going to do that after this review. I make shredded chicken often, for tortilla soup, tacos, and enchiladas; sometimes chicken salad sandwiches. I used to struggle with the two-fork method; then I bought those big claws. Still struggled. This item is amazing. It truly grips the counter or cutting board, and with hardly any effort at all, my chicken gets shredded so good and without any frustration. Cleans up so easily. I love it!" —Jennifer K. Griffin
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 10 colors).
For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: "Simple game changer! My car sickness has been getting worse for years. I often drive with my family back to my hometown, about five hours away. I put these on and was finally able to ride without constantly fighting nausea. They fit comfortably, and I quickly forgot they were on. This feels like a simple, cost-efficient fix." —Breya Porter
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53+ (available in six colors, various pack sizes, and also available in children's sizes).
Amazon
Promising review: "Cute, quirky, and fun to use! Lemonade is quickly made. It looks so good, I leave it on the counter." —Stephaniep
Get it from Amazon for $9.90.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I’ve minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It’s a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it, but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway, so it’s not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher!" —Barbie
Get it from Amazon for $14.20.
Promising review: "This is amazing! I wish I knew about this sooner! Makes opening any jar of any size so easy! Especially the ones with the airtight seal. Also, this is for anyone of any age or any strength… everyone can benefit. If you want to just make opening any jar effortless, you need this!" —Kim
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the scissors in action.
Promising review: "This is a kitchen must-have. We use it all the time — it's so easy to use that even our kids use it. Very durable blade that continues to perform and get value for your money." —Dawn R.
Ronan is a small business that specializes in multipurpose tools for home use.
Get it from Amazon for$15.99.
Amazon
Promising review: "This gadget is just as advertised. Easy to use and works. I like to carry ALL my plastic grocery bags on one trip because I park behind my building and live upstairs. One day I carried 10 bags holding it in my hand and another day I had 12, so I put it on my shoulder. Both ways were comfortable and so easy. The design of the soft grip is so comfortable and easier than carrying all the bags wrapped around my hands and arms. Highly recommend for that purpose." —GeauxPaige
Click & Carry is a Shark Tank and QVC-featured small business that specializes in easy carry accessories.
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in six colors and in a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "Love this item! Such great quality, inexpensive, and the blade is sharp and works great. Not to mention all the pieces come apart and it is super easy to wash off and clean in seconds." —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 10 colors).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "So why do I like mopping slippers? I have a 2-year-old and they're great for mopping up little splashes. Drops of water from doing dishes and the extra padding is nice. No paper towels wasted and it's immediate. Plus these are cute. You have to have a sense of whimsy for this functional novelty item." —G. Kim
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in women's sizes 4–10, one kids size for ages 3–4, and 16 styles).
Fill it up with vinegar and water (there are helpful fill lines inside for each!), microwave for 5-8 minutes, then remove after two additional minutes and wipe away any mess!
Promising review: "This little device is great and it's super simple. Fill to the lines with vinegar and water, nuke for seven minutes, let it sit for two minutes, then wipe clean. My embarrassingly super-gross microwave wiped completely clean with a couple of paper towels. I highly recommend this." —UglyPetty
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors).
BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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